Rain plays spoilsport at Jebel Ali

Dubai: UAE racing endured a rare day yesterday as heavy rains led to the abandonment of the meeting at Jebel Ali racecourse.

The fixture was called off, after the third race, on safety grounds amid thundershowers that lashed the emirate.

A deputation of officials comprising Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) stewards and senior jockeys inspected the track at 3.45pm and ruled it was too dangerous to proceed.

"Due to the heavy rain, the conditions at Jebel Ali racecourse became unfair and following an inspection by officials, it was decided to postpone the racing until a later date," senior ERA steward Pat Buckley told Gulf News.

"The condition of the ground raised safety concerns. We also took into consideration the lightning factor as we use metal starting stalls. After viewing all aspects, we decided to call off the meeting." Buckley said the tentative plan was to stage a substitute meeting next Saturday that would include the four postponed races and two new ones.

Prior to the abandonment, Sharjah's Saifaldin Deeb continued his fine season with his Purebred Arabian string to win the Shaikh Hamdan Al Maktoum UAE Breeders Society Stakes with Hatteen.

Ridden by Royston Ffrench, Hatteen powered home 6-lengths clear of Dhulaima W'Rsan in the 1,400-metre event.

Trainer Gill Duffield added another win to the impressive tally for the season when Muthaaber had a 4 1/4 victory over stable companion Nesnaas in the Al Shafar Group handicap.